Seattle City Council has passed Council Bill 121254, introducing new requirements for rental fees, disclosures, recordkeeping, and enforcement. The ordinance takes effect July 1, 2027, giving property management companies and private landlords time to review their existing practices and prepare for the changes.
For landlords, the new requirements affect how rental costs are disclosed, which additional fees may be charged, and what records must be maintained.
What Is Changing?
The ordinance establishes requirements for disclosing rental costs, including applicable fees, utility responsibilities, and estimated monthly expenses. This information must be provided through rental advertisements or appropriate direct links, as well as in a separate disclosure before the rental agreement.
The law also prohibits certain additional charges, including fees for common-area access, mailbox access, and certain appliances. Other charges, such as security deposits, authorized move-in fees, and qualifying tenant screening fees, remain permitted subject to applicable requirements.
Landlords must also retain key records for three years, including rental listings, application forms, leases, fee disclosures, and records of charges collected.
What Does This Mean for Tenant Screening?
Tenant screening fees remain permitted under the new ordinance. However, existing Seattle requirements continue to apply, including the requirement that landlords charge only the actual cost of tenant screening.
Property managers and landlords should review how screening fees are disclosed in application materials and ensure that charges comply with applicable requirements. Screening fees should also be included in a broader review of application-related costs and recordkeeping procedures.
How Can Property Managers Prepare?
Before the July 1, 2027, effective date, property management companies and private landlords can review their current practices in three key areas:
- Fee schedules: Confirm which charges are permitted and whether additional disclosures are required.
- Rental materials: Review advertisements, applications, and lease documents for the required fee and utility information.
- Recordkeeping: Establish procedures for retaining required documents and tracking rental charges.
Reviewing these areas ahead of the effective date can help property managers identify which procedures or materials may need to be updated.
For questions about tenant screening fees or how Seattle’s new requirements may affect your application process, contact Alliance 2020 at support@alliance2020.com.
